Seven years is a long time - it's over 2500 days. Its' the time I needed to reach manufacturers seat from point zero. There isn't a day I wouldn't give away, because when looking in a different aspect, that amount of time is very small comparing the excellent rally days I've in front of me!
Please review my rally history by choosing a season:
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Season 2001: Rally sprint events with Toyota Corolla 1600 GT
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Season 2002: British Rally Championship series
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Season 2003: Selected BRC, FRC & WRC events
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Season 2004: Italian Subaru Cup, JWRC and selected rallies
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Season 2005: Selected WRC & Finnish Rally Championship events
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Season 2006: PWRC & selected WRC-events
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Season 2007: WRC, Storbart Ford Focus RS WRC'06
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Season 2008: WRC, M-Sport Ford Focus RS WRC'07
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Season 2009: WRC, M-Sport Ford Focus RS WRC'08
2009 - World Rally Championship series, M-Sport Ford Focus RS WRC'08
For season 2009 I was set to rally with maximun speed. However in few occasions I pushed a bit too hard and made small mistakes which caused big problems. Besides downside of the game I was able to win in WRC Italy Sardegna and finished three times in third position.
| Time of rally |
Rally name |
Result |
Report |
| 28-31.01.2009 |
Rally Ireland |
14th |
|
| 11-15.02.2009 |
Rally Norway |
3rd |
|
| 11-15.03.2009 |
Rally Cyprus |
12th |
|
| 01-05.04.2009 |
Rally Portugal |
Retirement |
|
| 22-26.04.2009 |
Rally Argentina |
6th |
|
| 20-24.05.2009 |
Rally Italy-Sardegna |
1st |
|
| 10-14.06.2009 |
Rally Acropolis Greece |
3rd |
|
| 28-28.06.2009 |
Rally Poland |
Retirement |
|
| 01-03.08.2009 |
Rally Finland |
3rd |
|
| 02-06.09.2009 |
Rally Australia |
4th |
|
| 01-04.10.2009 |
Rally Spain Catalunya |
6th |
|
| 21-25.10.2008 |
Rally Wales GB |
7th |
|
2008 - World Rally Championship series, M-Sport Ford Focus RS WRC'07
After season 2007 Marcus Grönholm retired rallying and started spending his retirement days. Mikko Hirvonen took his boots and I had priviledge to step into Mikkos' shoes. Season 2008 started with success as I won my first-ever WRC event in Sweden. On the other hand very dissapointed moments in Finland, Germany and New-Sealand created setback for my self-confidence. However as a fighter I managed to step up and finish the season with three silver positions.
Season 2008 rally calendar and success in it:
| Time of rally |
Rally name |
Result |
Report |
| 24-27.01.2008 |
76th Rallye Monte Carlo |
12th |
Report |
| 08-10.02.2008 |
Uddeholm Swedish Rally |
1st |
Report |
| 29-30.02.2008 |
Corona Rally Mexico |
3rd |
Report |
| 28-30.03.2008 |
Rally Argentina |
15th |
Report |
| 24-27.04.2008 |
Jordan Rally |
7th |
Report |
| 16-18.05.2008 |
Rally d'Italia Sardegna |
3rd |
Report |
| 29-31.06.2008 |
Acropolis Rally of Greece |
7th |
Report |
| 13-15.06.2008 |
Rally of Turkey |
2nd |
Report |
| 01-03.08.2008 |
Neste Oil Rally Finland |
39th |
Report |
| 15-17.08.2008 |
ADAC Rallye Deutchland |
9th |
Report |
| 28-31.08.2008 |
Rally New Zealand |
Retirement |
Report |
| 02-05.10.2008 |
Rally RACC Spain |
6th |
Report |
| 10-12.10.2008 |
Rallye de France |
4rd |
Report |
| 01-02.11.2008 |
Rally Japan |
2nd |
Report |
| 05-07.12.2008 |
Rally Wales GB |
2nd |
Report |
2007 - World Rally Championship serie, Stobart Motorsport Ford Focus RS WRC'06
in season 2007 I was about to rally 12 WRC events. However shortly after the season had started the program wided into full WRC-program. In the beginning of the season I had taken one major step in my rally career
as I was nearly a manufacturer rally driver. 16 events in manufacturers satellite team gave me fantastic possibilities to show what I was made of with top spec rally car.
Season started with two retirements, but after it I was able to finish the rallies and collect lots of Championship points. Small driving mistakes and technical difficulties didn't give clear picture of my skills. However I finished into 3rd position in maybe the most important rally of my career at pneultimate round in WRC Ireland. That podium gave lots of boost for my career.
Next step was taken right after the season had ended as Marcus Grönholm stept down from WRC. Mikko Hirvonen is now adjusting the boots of mr. Grönholm and I was nominated to Mikkos' seat. It means that for season 2008 I gain a position of Ford Manufacturer rally driver and my next goal is to win my first WRC event!
More information:
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Review my season 2007 scrap book (.pdf (only in Finnish!))
| Time of rally |
Rally name and location |
Result |
| 18-21.01.2007 |
WRC Monte Carlo, Monaco |
Offroad |
| 09-11.02.2007 |
WRC Sweden, Karlstadt |
Engine problem |
16-18.02.2007 |
WRC Norway, Hammar |
5th
|
| 09-11.03.2007 |
WRC Mexico, Leon |
7th |
| 01-03.04.2007 |
WRC Portugal, Faro |
8th |
| 04-06.05.2007 |
WRC Argentina, Cordoba |
4th |
18-20.05.2007 |
WRC Italy Sardegna, Olbia |
9th |
| 01-03.06.2007 |
WRC Greece, Athens |
12th |
| 03-05.08.2007 |
WRC Finland, Jyväskylä |
Offroad |
| 17-19.08.2007 |
WRC Germany, Trier |
8th |
| 01-03.09.2007 |
WRC New Zealand, Auckland |
5th |
| 05-07.10.2007 |
WRC Spain, Salou |
7th |
| 12-14.10.2007 |
WRC France, Ajaccio |
4th |
| 26-28.10.2007 |
WRC Japan, Obihiro |
26th |
| 15-18.11.2007 |
WRC Ireland, Sligo |
3rd |
| 01-03.12.2007 |
WRC Wales GB, Cardif |
10th |
